Dubuque Dream Center Letters of Support_Iowa Department of Education Copyright 2014
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 5.
ITEM TITLE: Dubuque Dream Center Letters of Support
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending approval of letters of support
for the Dubuque Dream Center's application for a 21 st
Century Community Learning Center Grant.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
City Manager Letter of Support for Dubuque Dream Supporting Documentation
Center
Dubuque Dream Center Letter of Support Supporting Documentation
Dubuque City Manager's Office
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www.cityofdubuque.org
November 30, 2016
Mr. Vic Jaras
Iowa Department of Education
Grimes State Office Building
400 E. 14th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Greetings:
I would like to express support of the Dubuque Dream Center and recommend for funding their
application for the 21 st Century Community Learning Centers grant program. The proposed
project will assist the Dream Center in expanding their out of school programming from two days
a week to five days a week during the school year, as well as enhance their summer
programming. The project will serve at risk students from Fulton and Prescott Elementary
Schools.
The City considers the Dream Center an important partner in the City Council priority to create a
more viable, livable and equitable community.
Out of school programming is greatly needed for the target population, as the Dream Center is
only currently able to offer academic enrichment and recreational opportunities two afternoons a
week and on Saturdays during the school year, and has a growing waiting list. The proposed
program will help students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects
such as math and reading; offer students a broad array of enrichment activities which will
complement their regular academic programs; and will offer literacy and other educational
services to the families of participating children.
I feel that the proposed project provides tremendous value to the urban core of the community
and supports the Dream Center's commitment of building on Dr. King's dream of transforming
communities by embracing, empowering, and unifying and mobilizing youth and families.
Sincerely,
Michael C. Van Milligen
City Manager
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Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
Dubuque Human Rights Deputment
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Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2W7.2012•zo13 humanrgts@cityofdubuque.org
www.cityofdubuque.org
November 22, 2016
Vic Jaras
Iowa Department of Education
Grimes State Office Building
400 E. 141h Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
Dear Mr. Jaras:
I am writing this letter in support of the Dubuque Dream Center's application for a 21st Century
Community Learning Center Grant. I have worked with the Dubuque Dream Center since late
2014, when Mayor Roy Buol designated me as the lead staff person coordinating the My
Brother's Keeper (MBK) Community Challenge here in Dubuque. Our local MBK effort is
focused on supporting school achievement for low income youth, with a focus on ensuring
efforts are successful with youth of color. The partners who are part of our local network,
including the Dubuque Dream Center, are working to reduce disparities based on race and
ethnicity around the following milestones in students' lives: 1) reading at grade level by third
grade; 2) graduating from high school; and 3) being employed when not in school.
The Dubuque Dream Center's "In Your Life" mentoring philosophy and their place-based
approach have proven successful in the few short years they have been in operation. The
Center operates within a neighborhood where 84%of the youth served by the neighborhood
school are free and reduced lunch eligible and nearly 50%are youth of color. The Center has
been particularly successful in reaching and working with youth of color, engaging the youth
through positive role models, behavioral and academic supports, and club sports. They have a
close partnership with the neighborhood school, to the point that teachers serve as volunteer
tutors, building strong out-of-school relationships with youth. Teachers frequently testify to
the difference they are witnessing in the behavior and academic performance of the youth who
participate in Center activities.
A good deal of the program's success is attributable to the leadership of The Dream Center's
Executive Director, Robert Kimble. I have known Robert for many years and am familiar with
his personal dedication to the academic and social success of the youth that he serves. For
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork
Robert, this work is a vocation more than a career. He is successful, in part, because he is able
to relate to many of the struggles youth of color face growing up in our largely white
community, while simultaneously challenging them to never accept limitations that others may
place upon them.
I wholeheartedly support the Dubuque Dream Center as a Community Learning Center and
hope you will give their application favorable consideration.
Sincerely,
A
Kelly Larson, Director
Service People Integrity Responsibility Innovation Teamwork